Scouting Rumoured Juventus Transfer Target Angelo Ogbonna

Torino central defender Angelo Ogbonna has been on the wish list of some of Italy's biggest clubs for the past few seasons.

Before their promotion into Serie A last year, Ogbonna was making enough of an impression in the second division to be called up by Cesare Prandelli to the Italian national team, a rarity for the Azzurri.

Now that he's been in the top flight for a full season, Angelo has faced far better competition and improved his trade even further. Having already been linked to the likes of Milan, Ogbonna will surely be looking to join a team where he can improve as a player, surrounded by more quality.

The left-footed Ogbonna operates well in a back four where he takes a more central position, but isn't shy about playing as an emergency left-back as needed. He showed his adaptability for this position with the Italian national team against America.

A tall, slender athlete, Ogbonna has good pace for a defender and isn't outclassed by smaller wingers or trequartisti. Playing at Torino, he's often forced to stay deep in his own half with his partner Kamil Glik, who provides a more physical presence to counter Angelo's finesse.

Even though he was hampered by a series of injuries last season, Ogbonna did enough to retain his spot as one of Italy's most promising defenders. Antonio Conte could use him on the left or the middle of his back three, even putting him as a left back if needed.

Reputation:

Angelo Ogbonna has a decent reputation domestically, although some of his biggest skeptics like to highlight the fact that the 25-year-old would have already made a big money move to one of Europe's giants had he really been that talented.

While this notion isn't too far-fetched, any close observer of Ogbonna will tell you about his undeniable class at the back. The most important thing for him is to impress Cesare Prandelli on a more respectable side that plays in a European competition.

It's this type of experience that will propel him to be considered as an integral part of the Italian national team before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.